The publicity machine for Apple’s iPhone was in full swing until its official launch on June 29, 2007. During the run up to its launch, Apple cleverly whetted the public’s appetite for the iPhone by showcasing its attractive design while retaining many details. about the iPhone shrouded in mystery. So what exactly is the iPhone, and more importantly, is it everything Apple says it is?
Apple’s iPhone is actually three devices in one: a cell phone, a widescreen iPod, and a wireless Internet device. It measures 4.5″ x 4″ x 0.46″ and weighs 4.8 ounces. It’s not exactly small, but the iPhone has a fairly slim profile, further adding to its appeal.
The core of Apple’s iPhone is its 3.5″ touchscreen. The iPhone’s touchscreen has caused more than a little controversy. A touchscreen doesn’t provide tactile feedback, which can make users less sure about what Apple is confident that once users get used to the iPhone’s touchscreen, they’ll be fine, but harsh critics remain unconvinced that the touchscreen will be problem-free. Area of greatest concern is users who rely heavily on text messages.Be able to pull off short text messages on the iPhone touch screen without tripping?
Of course, Apple’s iPhone is also an iPod, which will play both MP3 music files downloaded from iTunes and video files. iPhone syncs like an iPod with a Mac or PC. However, users will not be able to download iTunes files wirelessly. This will require a physical connection to a computer.
The cell phone portion of the iPhone supports quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900), making it a true “world phone” capable of operation in the US, Europe, and Asia. On the data side, the iPhone uses 2.5G EDGE technologies. However, the iPhone’s multimedia functions would be better served by the broadband capabilities of 3G networks, such as UMTS and HSDPA, which, interestingly enough, AT&T now supports. One saving grace is that the iPhone will come with built-in WiFi for access to high-speed Internet connections.
The iPhone battery is rated for 8 hours of talk time and 6 hours of Internet use. Battery talk time was initially estimated at 5 hours, but was updated by Apple before the iPhone was released. This will make it the longest lasting mobile phone battery, second only to some Sony Ericsson mobile phones. iPhone is rated for 24 hours of audio playback, and the battery can retain its charge in standby mode for up to 10 days.
Additional features include a 2 megapixel digital, which is high enough resolution to produce some sharp digital photos. The iPhone also supports Bluetooth technology. One feature the iPhone won’t initially support is GPS. This may disappoint some potential customers, but a viable alternative is to access Google Maps through the built-in Safari browser for your navigation needs.
One particularly cool feature of the iPhone, which can also be quite functional, is a series of built-in sensors that detect how you’re holding the iPhone. A proximity sensor knows when you bring the phone to your ear and will dim the screen and turn off the touch screen. There’s an ambient light sensor that adjusts brightness to save battery power, and there’s even an accelerometer that knows when to switch between landscape and portrait mode. Pretty clever, huh?
At the time of this writing, it’s not possible to say for sure how Apple’s iPhone will capture the attention of consumers. However, given Apple’s track record of producing life-changing products like the Mac and the iPod, as well as a brilliantly executed marketing campaign, the smart money is on Apple’s iPhone being a big seller, perhaps in the same league as the iPod.
